Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, December 4, 2024)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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odoriferous
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Linking VerbsLinking verbs (also known as copulas or copular verbs) are used to describe the state of being of the subject of a clause. What is the most common linking verb? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Land of PuntPunt was a fabled land in eastern Africa sought by ancient Egyptians as a source of gold, frankincense, myrrh, and other exotic and precious goods. It is known only from Egyptian records of expeditions to East Africa, which date back to the 25th century BCE. Punt was also called "God's Land" because its position in relation to the rising sun placed it under the sun god's domain. Though most scholars link Punt with the Red Sea, its exact location remains a mystery. What are some of the theories? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Led Zeppelin Officially Disbands (1980)On September 25, 1980, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham asphyxiated on his own vomit and died after a day of heavy drinking. Two months later, the remaining members of Led Zeppelin issued a press release stating that the band would not continue without Bonham. For decades, rumors of the band's imminent reunion persisted, but the surviving members made only sporadic appearances to perform together. In 2007, they reunited for a single concert as Led Zeppelin. Who played drums in Bonham's place? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Lillian Russell (1861)One of the most popular stars of the musical stage in her day, Russell debuted in New York as a teenager and soon became a star. She was known for her flamboyant personal life, her hourglass figure, and her voice. Though she was married four times, her affair with "Diamond Jim" Brady has become legendary. She also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and was a popular lecturer. She died shortly after completing a fact-finding mission—on behalf of US President Warren Harding—to investigate what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It seems as if an age of genius must be succeeded by an age of endeavor; riot and extravagance by cleanliness and hard work.Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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the wrong crowd— A group of people, typically peers, who partake in and elicit immoral, criminal, and/or dangerous behavior and attitudes. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 St. Barbara's Day (2024)Scholars doubt that St. Barbara existed as more than a legend that emerged during the 2nd century. In parts of France, Germany, and Syria, St. Barbara's Day is considered the beginning of the Christmas season. In southern France, it is customary to set out dishes holding grains of wheat soaked in water on sunny window sills. If the "St. Barbara's grain" grows quickly, it means a good year for crops. There is a similar custom in Germany and the Czech and Slovak republics with cherry branches. In Syria, St. Barbara's Day is for feasting and bringing food to the poor. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: stimulateaperitif, appetizer - An aperitif is a drink to stimulate the appetite and an appetizer is a food that does this before a meal. More... condiment - From Latin condimentum, from condire, "to pickle, preserve"; condiments are food substances used to heighten the natural flavor of foods, to stimulate the appetite, to aid digestion, or preserve certain foods. More... innervate, enervate - Innervate means "to stimulate or give nervous energy," the opposite of enervate. More... stimulate - From Latin stimulus, "pointed stick for goading animals." More... | |